Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has delivered an update on Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres ahead of Sunday’s Premier League showdown against Chelsea.
The pair being out injured has forced the Gunners to play without a recognised striker for the four three games.
Mikel Merino has led the line in their absence and performed well, scoring twice at Slavia Prague earlier this month.
Arteta will be keen to get Gyokeres and Havertz, though, as the fixture list is about to get congested over the festive period.
Havertz has been out of action since August after injuring his knee in the first game of the season and undergoing surgery.
Gyokeres strained his hamstring earlier this month during a win at Burnley and has missed the last four games.
Arsenal are next in action on Sunday, when they travel to London rivals Chelsea, and Arteta has given an update on his injured strikers.
Speaking on Friday, the Arsenal boss said: “We have another day tomorrow, so let’s see how everybody has come on.
“Clear, not yet, but they are getting closer and closer. So, we are very positive with both of them – and let’s see.”
Arteta also revealed Leandro Trossard, who was forced to come in the first half of Arsenal’s win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday, has a chance to be available for selection.
Mikel Arteta lauded his “immense” Arsenal players after a 3-1 home win over Bayern Munich.
After Lennat Karl had equalised following Jurrien Timber’s opener, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli scored in the second half to secure another victory for the Gunners in the Champions League.
“First of all I have to praise my players because they had an incredible match against, I think, the best team in Europe,” Arteta said.
“Individually we were immense to resolve all the challenges that this team brings to the table.
“The energy that we created in the stadium, what the team transmits, the energy that we bring and the quality that we play with, it’s incredible.”
Arteta says his increased squad depth, despite having had several injuries again this season, has been a huge boost.
“That’s what you require at this level. We’ve certainly improved that with the quality and the mindset of the players coming in and that’s something that is making a huge difference for us.”
The Gunners boss was also delighted to see Madueke grab his first Arsenal goal, having recently returned from injury.
“Very happy, he’s worked incredibly hard to come back and I think he was in a great moment before he got the injury,” Arteta said. “He was performing at the highest level.
“He played on the left, on the right, he gives us something else, a different edge in that frontline and I’m very pleased to see it. Hopefully many more to come.”